Cire

Cire is the French term for wax, a broad class of solid to semi-solid lipophilic substances produced by animals, plants, or geological processes. In English-language technical contexts, waxes appear in compound terms such as cire perdue, the lost-wax casting method. Waxes are typically insoluble in water, have relatively low to high melting points, and can be opaque or translucent.

Natural and refined waxes fall into several groups. Bee wax (beeswax) is a secretion of honeybees and is often refined for purity. Carnauba and candelilla wax are plant-based hard waxes sourced from palm and shrub species, respectively. Montan wax comes from fossilized vegetable matter. Plant and animal waxes are commonly blended with other waxes or oils to tailor properties. Mineral waxes, such as paraffin and microcrystalline wax, are derived from petroleum and used widely in candles, coatings, and cosmetics. In addition to these, soy, palm, and other plant-based waxes are popular in candle-making and cosmetics.

Production typically involves extraction from the source material, purification, and sometimes refining or blending with additives to achieve desired hardness, color, and melting behavior. Waxes may be melted for casting, molding, coating, or formulation purposes and are chosen for their specific melting range, texture, and compatibility with other ingredients.

Uses are diverse: candles and lighting, cosmetics and lip care, surface polishes for wood and leather, food-contact coatings, and industrial applications such as mold release and lubrication. In art, wax is used as a medium in encaustic painting and sculpting.

Safety and environmental considerations include flammability in melted form, allergenicity in rare cases, and sustainability concerns related to certain plant-based sources. Beeswax is biodegradable and often preferred for natural formulations.